The Passive Effect of Trauma and PTSD in Morrison's Jazz and Home

Abstract

  This study explores the impact of trauma and PTSD on African Americans and their passive effect on the traumatized characters. The two literary works chosen for this essay are Jazz (1992) and Home (2012) by Afro-American novelist Toni Morrison. Using Mitchell's relationality theory as a framework, the researcher has examined the traumatized characters in these two novels. The paper discusses the various types of trauma, such as acute, chronic, and complicated trauma. PTSD and its two sub-concepts, complex PTSD and DISONS, are also covered in this article. The main objective of this research is to explore the factors that contribute to trauma and PTSD, such as immigration, forced relocation, racial discrimination, slavery, and the marginalization of African Americans in white culture. Additionally, the study highlights the key symptoms that manifest in the traumatized characters, including feelings of alienation, low self-esteem, loneliness, and dread of losing others. The study also reveals the traumatized individuals' therapy approach and how Morrison's approach, which reconnects the main and secondary processes, aligns with Mitchell's relationality theory to heal these psychological patients.